DUNLAP — A last push in Dunlap seeks to mitigate a $2.1 million budget deficit that could cause layoffs.

More than 65 people filled the Banner Elementary School gym Monday night for a special meeting of the District 323 School Board aimed at examining budget items for the 2014-2015 fiscal year that might be altered to decrease the deficit. The board is expected to vote March 19 on a proposal to lay off 17 teachers and eliminate all but one librarian from the district.

Potential budget items discussed Monday night were submitted by parents, teachers, principals and School Board members. Some involved cuts such as eliminating some bus routes and only providing bus transportation to students beyond a 1.5 mile radius of a given school.

But many items discussed to generate revenue — such as summer school programs, tutoring and renting out facilities — would likely only increase spending, Superintendent Jay Marino said.

One of the suggestions asked the board to take more time. School Board official Dawn Bozeman said she believed the board was making a hasty decision regarding the deficit, which prompted a standing ovation.

Toni Redlingshafer, a chorus teacher at Dunlap Valley Middle School, pleaded with the board to reconsider the potential termination of 17 teachers.

“We have to find a way to afford this. These are our children. We owe them the best education we can give them,” Redlingshafer said. “They trust us to do that and we cannot afford to lose that trust. The stakes are too high.”